7 Traditions to Bring the Spirit of Advent into Your Home

Lighting an Advent candle is often a part of church services each week leading to Christmas. We can enjoy this at church but also bring the practice home by setting up an Advent wreath. This is historically what many Christians have done, lighting the candles each night of the season in their homes.  

Although believers can buy Advent wreaths from retailers, they can also make their own. The color of the candles and the material for the wreath are optional. Some individuals prefer specific colors for the candles, typically three purple, one pink, and one white candle (or a variation thereof). However, what matters is turning our focus to Christ during this season, as He is the Light of the World (John 8:12), who brought hope and life to our dark world (Matthew 4:16). As long as the candles invite us into contemplation of Him, then it does not necessarily matter what colors or types we use.  

Making an Advent wreath, whether individually or with family, is a way to start off this tradition. Then, after setting it someplace in the house, it will continually remind us of Jesus’ first advent and our longing for His return. He is the Light, and one day, in the New Jerusalem, we will no longer need the brightness of the sun or moon “for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light” (Revelation 21:23, NLT).       

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A lot of us already utilize Advent or Christmas devotionals each year. As a result, we may be tempted to view these as commonplace or something we have always done. We forget, though, how certain writings can usher us into the joy and hope of the season. Maybe all we need is a new approach when reading these books.  

Countless Advent devotionals exist that include an interactive component. These could provide us with a fresh perspective while preparing our hearts for Christmas. For example, many now include recipes and crafts tied into Scripture reading. Some also contain daily prayers and songs in a liturgical style. Others feature excerpts from literary works or original poetry to invite us into this season of wonder.   

Even if a book does not include activities or other experiences, we can still create our own. Consider reading the book aloud or as a group with friends. Light a candle or turn on soft music while pondering the insights about Jesus’ coming into the world. Or read a devotional focused on the second coming of Christ, as this is often an overlooked aspect of the Christmas season.  

Despite its common use during the holidays, an Advent devotional sets a pattern for our lives. We include family in the readings after dinner or talk to friends about insights we gleaned. Depending on the type of book, we sing and offer prayer in our homes. As a result, our houses become places where we meditate on, celebrate, and worship Christ.

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If we turn on the radio during December, we will likely hear Christmas songs like “Winter Wonderland” or “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Often, what is lacking is music oriented toward Christmas's true meaning. We can still enjoy other festive music, but we should seek to add carols, hymns, and other musical pieces that remind us of Jesus’ coming into the world to save us and that He is coming again. Such music will fill our homes with the spirit of Advent.   

So, what are some options to add to an Advent playlist? Most of us already have our favorites. However, we should also consider songs that make us think about the joy of the salvation Jesus came to give and which express a longing for His return to end all death and suffering. 

6 Songs to Include on Your Advent Playlist

1. “Joy to the World.” 
2. “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” 
3. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”  
4. “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus.” 
5. Selections from Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Magnificat. 
6. Modern songs from albums centered on Jesus’ coming, such as Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God or Sarah Spark’s Advent, Pt. One.  

Playing recorded music is not the only option. If a family member has musical talent, he or she could play a guitar or piano as others sing carols. Believers could also sing individually. Worshiping and reminding ourselves of the meaning of Advent through song is a powerful way to speak against the darkness of sorrow and death. Our Lord has come to save us, and He is coming again.   

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Lots of families enjoy the tradition of adding a decoration to their home each year during Christmas. For some, this looks like choosing a new ornament to hang on the tree or a figurine to set on a table. What if we adapted this tradition and applied it to Advent? We can decorate our homes each year to reflect a spirit of waiting and longing.   

There are many options to choose from and the opportunity to craft our own décor. We can set up a Nativity scene and add an extra part each year. Or we could place candles in our windows to symbolize the hope of the season. Having a place for an Advent calendar or wreath is another option, perhaps one we made. Families may also choose a new ornament centered on an aspect of Advent to add to the tree.   

We need not think we must be extravagant in what we use. Although some individuals will enjoy detailed Nativity displays and hand-painted ornaments, others may want to keep it simple: a string of lights to emphasize Jesus’ triumph over darkness, a small Nativity set, and a few Bible verses to hang on the wall. Elaborate or simple, the goal is still the same—to create an atmosphere that helps us engage more closely with the joy and expectation of Advent.         

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Filling our homes with song and seasonal decorations gets us in the spirit of Advent, as does reading from God’s Word. In the Bible, we find numerous prophecies about the Messiah, including His birth as the promised King who will rule on the throne of David (Isaiah 7:14; 11:1; Micah 5:2). The Gospel of Matthew and Luke show us Christ’s coming into the world (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-21), while John reminds us that Jesus is the eternal Word who took on flesh and overcame the darkness (John 1:1-4, 14). We also have the promise that He will come again (Matthew 24:44; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 1:7). Therefore, Advent celebrations must emphasize Scripture.  

Many churches commonly have Bible reading plans for the weeks leading to Christmas. We can also find daily readings in lectionaries, such as the Book of Common Prayer. If we wanted something different, we could choose from the numerous Advent Scripture plans in books or online. Many are divided into weekly plans but could be adapted into daily readings. Most plans will include multiple selections from the prophets and the Gospels. We can include other parts of the Bible, as the center of Scripture is Jesus.  

To make the daily readings more interactive, we could read the passages aloud alone or with family members. Kids can also take turns reading aloud. A family may want to choose a key verse to meditate on each week of Advent or post it someplace for everyone to see.  

It is important to habitually read and hear the Word of God during Advent as we set our hearts on the promises of Scripture.    

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The Christmas season has become increasingly commercialized. Yet, Advent and Christmas are about Jesus coming to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Israel was waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue them, which He did by dying for them and us and raising us to life. Advent is also about our waiting for Him to return to bring restoration and healing. 

Scripture emphasizes that because of the blessings we have in Christ, we should be more than willing to give to help others. Our Lord taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). And throughout the Bible, we see God’s heart for the poor, orphaned, widowed, and oppressed (Psalm 140:12; Proverbs 14:31; Isaiah 1:17; James 1:27). Although giving is something we should be involved in year-round, Advent is a great time to start a yearly tradition centered on helping others.      

In a designated spot in the home, we can place a blessing box, a container or a box decorated with wrapping paper to collect items to bless others – canned goods and nonperishable products for a food pantry, gently used clothes for a homeless shelter, books for a prison ministry, or sheets of paper to indicate savings to donate to a specific ministry or other Christian organization. This physical collection serves as a reminder that Jesus came into the world to give His life for us, and His gift has so affected us that we want to share His love with others.   

Each year, we will look forward to setting up the blessing box and pause to thank the Lord who has given us life in Christ. 

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Families and friends often gather for a festive dinner filled with tasty food on Christmas. This is enjoyable and carries biblical meaning since we anticipate the coming day to celebrate the Wedding Supper of the Lamb and feast with the Lord in His Kingdom (see Isaiah 25:6; Luke 22:16; Revelation 19:1-8). However, we could also infuse Advent with this symbolism of the future feast by regularly making meals (or a meal each week) special. As we eat and drink, we remember that we will soon celebrate a great banquet with our Lord.  

Making the meals special does not mean they must be elaborate or difficult. Adding fresh flowers to the table or using nice dinnerware, for example, can elevate any dinner regardless of the type of food.    

We might choose to light candles or cook a recipe that holds a significant place in our memory. Perhaps a beloved neighbor we knew while growing up made a specific casserole, or our mother always uniquely made a dish. Enjoying these meals with eyes focused on eternity, we know we can look forward to eating with passed loved ones in the coming Kingdom and on the restored earth. 

Traditions should not be about accomplishing checklists. Rather, they can invite us into habits that help us become more aware of the wonder of the season and, in so doing, experience the spirit of Advent.  

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